Length of course

One-year, full-time; two-year, part-time

Location

Central London (Regent)

Fee band

Fee-band 1. See fees

This new Masters course looks at the changing roles of cultural institutions in the 21st Century. It has been designed for students wishing to work as curators, arts organisers, museum professional and other contemporary cultural managers, and has been developed through the University’s close relationships with museums and galleries in London.

You will examine key issues and themes in the museums and gallery sector, and explores how these are dealt with not just in theory, but also on a day-to-day basis by leading institutions. You will learn about the challenges faced by museums and galleries, how they confront them and how they are developing innovative practices in relation to their collections, exhibitions and audiences.

Course Content

Much of the teaching takes place in collaboration with the partner institutions, on site and working with curators and professionals from the sector. The course is structured around specific examples of their practice and detailed case studies.

Core modules

• Dissertation
  
• Research Methods
• The Art Museum and Contemporary Culture
• The Audience Experience: new approaches
  

Option modules

• Chinese Contemporary Art
• Collecting London: Curating, Presenting and Managing Collections
• Creative Digital Technology
• Professional Work Project
• Representing World Cultures
• The Human Image
• The Museum Narrative
• The Online Museum and Gallery

The core Dissertation module consists of preliminary workshops focused on relevant research skills, followed by individual tutorials with your supervisor.

The course is taught alongside the Visual Culture MA, and shares modules with this and with other MAs taught in the department, offering you a broad theoretic context that can cover wider aspects of the arts. The teaching team are curators, museum and gallery professionals as well as scholars and fine artists.

Teaching methods include seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and workshops, together with independent student directed study. The course has a strong emphasis on vocational learning, and students are encouraged to undertake professional placements and internships. Assessment methods include course work in the form of essays, oral presentations and professional project reports, as well as the final 10-12,000-word dissertation. There are no formal examinations.

Associated Careers

Graduates will have the skills to work in a variety of positions in the cultural sector, including in the post of curator, consultant, arts and media strategists and advisors, funding officers or education and interpretation officers.

Entry Requirements

You will normally be required to have a good first degree or equivalent. Applications from mature candidates with demonstrable relevant work experience and relevant professional qualifications are welcomed. In these cases, you may be required to undertake a written entrance test in the form of a short 1,500-word essay, and may also be required to assemble a work experience portfolio (consisting of testimonials, job descriptions etc). Where English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall and 7.0 in writing (or equivalent). The University offer pre-sessional summer programmes if you need to improve your English before starting your course.

How to Apply

Applications should be made via UKPASS